RISE: Solutions to Extreme Poverty in Rural Villages

In this episode of RISE, the conversation moves beyond funding challenges to examine what comes next. As traditional aid models face increasing uncertainty, we explore how development can evolve, centering local leadership, redefining success, and building systems that don’t rely on external support. This discussion offers a forward-looking perspective on what sustainable, community-led change truly requires.

In this episode of RISE, we examine the impact of shifting global funding priorities, including the loss of USAID support, on rural development efforts. Through firsthand experience, this conversation explores how communities and organizations are adapting,  and why strengthening local leadership and long-term, community-led solutions is more important than ever in the face of uncertainty.

Wade and Jai sit down with Sudhanshu Shekhar Singh, founder of Humanitarian Aid International, to rethink what development really means. Together they ask: Does true progress require consumption and materialism, or can we define devleopment in more equitable ways?

What if the most powerful development leaders are the villages themselves? This episode highlights Shanta’s Villages Leading Villages pilot and the shared approach Shanta and All We Can take to peer-led development and women’s empowerment.

Meet Janet Nyoni, Program Manager in Zambia with the People's Action Forum, Shanta's partner on the ground, implementing life-changing work through true community-led development. How does she empower the people of these rural areas to believe in creating real change to rise out of extreme poverty?https://pafzambia.com/

In this episode, Wade Griffith and Jaipreet Kaur speak with Mwesigye Kwarimpa-Atim, Uganda Country Representative for All We Can. Together, they explore how locally led development, capacity-building, and long-term partnership can create lasting change in vulnerable communities. Mwesigye shares insights from her work across Uganda and offers a grounded look at what true community empowerment requires — and why it matters now more than ever.

Who's developing who? Wade and Jai discuss what constitutes successful community-led development.

Jai and Wade introduce guest speaker, Tom Menjor, Country Representative in Sierra Leone. What does genuine partnership look like? Let's listen.https://www.allwecan.org.uk/team_member/tom-menjor/

Wade and Jai delve into mental health in the rural areas where both Shanta and All We Can operate, with limited access to help and support for mental health needs. Wade shares an update on a recent project that implemented a robust water/solar installation in the Siyowi "campus" and explains how the Shanta model works as a long-term community-led development solution. All We Can is preparing to unveil its new 5-year organizational strategy, which will further enable the organization to charge ahead with its updated sustainable development efforts.

Wade continued his conversation with Jaipreet Kaur, RISE's new co-host, and the Executive Head of Philanthropy and Public Engagement of All We Can, an international relief and development movement based in the UK.https://www.allwecan.org.uk/

Wade met with Jaipreet Kaur, the Executive Head of Philanthropy and Public Engagement of All We Can, an international relief and development movement based in the UK, to discuss the foundations of community-led development. https://www.allwecan.org.uk/

Wade continues his conversation with Gunjan Veda, the Global Secretary and Executive Director of the Movement for Community-Led Development (MCLD US).https://mcld.org/

Wade spoke with Gunjan Veda, the Global Secretary and Executive Director of hte Movement for Community-Led Development (MCLD US).https://mcld.org/

Wade talks with Tandana Foundation's founding director, Anna Taft, about her book, Climbing Together. https://tandanafoundation.org/

Wade welcomes back Tandana Foundation's founding director, Anna Taft, to chat about Tandana's programming. https://tandanafoundation.org/

Wade talks with Tandana Foundation's founding director, Anna Taft, about DIY charitable work.https://tandanafoundation.org/

With new political leaders comes change. Wade examines immigration, immigration policy, and international development. 

Continuation of a discussion between Wade and Jonathan Prosser of Compassion UK. 

Wade welcomes Jonathan Prosser, Director of Innovation Lab for Compassion UK. The two discuss how to utilize innovation to reach more people, alleviating extreme poverty and working to create sustainable change.

Meet Stella Potemkin- Shanta's first Development Intern. Stella shares her experiences working in the Mazabuka region with our implementing partner on the ground, People's Action Forum. 

Wade introduces Laurie Williams, Professor of Engineering and one of the leaders of the Village Aid Project at Fort Lewis College. VAP addresses infrastructure needs in impoverished regions. 

Just back from Zambia, Wade talks about the time spent with Fort Lewis College's Village Aid Project where students installed water systems and bridges. 

Wade talked to Fort Lewis College engineering students, Sage Slater and Aubrey Peterson who went to Zambia to install water systems and bridges in our partner villages in Mazabuka.

Wade shares how the partnership with Fort Lewis College's Village Aid Project went on the recent infrastructure project implementation. 

Wade continues his conversation with Zachary Ray, owner of Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, Shanta board member, and head of Shanta's program committee. 

Wade interviews Zachary Ray, owner of Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, Shanta board member, and head of Shanta's program committee. 

The Shanta model is proven effective. Listen to how our 6-year partnership changes lives in extreme poverty sustainably.

Wade and Nge Nge discuss fundraising- how do you do it?!?! When you're passionate about what you're doing, it is easy.

Update on activity in the Pauk region of Myanmar and learning outcomes. 

Part 2 of conversation with African Education Program's Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza.

African Education Program's Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza joins Wade and Mark to talk about AEP's impact through their community-led development initiatives.  https://www.africaneducationprogram.org/

Part 2 of conversation with Nge Nge coming to you from Nyaungshwe, Myanmar.

Introducing Country Manager in Myanmar, Nge Nge. Welcome!

Mark and Wade review their last podcast with Mike and Trish Karpfen, founders of Shanta Foundation. How did Shanta come to fruition?

The evolution of the Shanta model and its sustainability. 

Mike Karpfen, founder of Shanta Foundation, joins Wade and Mark to share the story about how Shanta Foundation came to be.